Maryland State Wire

Common Cause, the nonpartisan watchdog, released its 2024 "Democracy Scorecard," recording every member of Congress' support for voting rights, Supreme Court ethics, and other reforms.

"Our 2024 Democracy Scorecard shows a surge of support in Congress for reforms that strengthen the right to vote, take back the Supreme Court, and break big money's grip on our politics," said President & CEO of Common Cause Virginia Kase Solomón. "The number of members of Congress with perfect scores increased 101% from 2020, with 58 members in 2020 to 117 today. As we see the wealthy and well-connected try and influence our politics and our very livelihoods, we must demand our leaders deliver on the people's pro-democracy agenda."

Since 2016, Common Cause has tracked support and co-sponsorship of democracy-related legislation. This year's scorecard includes ten legislative items in the U.S. Senate and 13 in the U.S. House, including the Freedom to Vote Act, John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act, among others.

"The 2024 Democracy Scorecard empowers voters with information to hold their leaders in Washington accountable for a government that works for all," said Joanne Antoine, executive director of Common Cause Maryland. "Seven of Maryland's members of Congress earned a perfect score for their support for pro-democracy legislation. With this year's pivotal election, we must drive these key reforms to the top of the agenda so everyone is afforded an accountable government no matter what state we call home."

Maryland is one of eight states with both U.S. Senators earning perfect scores. The other states include California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Maryland Members of Congress with perfect or near-perfect scores:

- Senator Ben Cardin: 10/10

- Senator Chris Van Hollen: 10/10

- Representative Glenn Ivey: 13/13

- Representative Kweisi Mfume: 13/13

- Representative Jamie Raskin: 13/13

- Representative John Sarbanes: 13/13

- Representative David Trone: 13/13

Maryland Members of Congress with scores of zero:

- Representative Andy Harris: 0/13

Common Cause is a nonpartisan organization and does not endorse or oppose candidates for elected office.

To view the 2024 Democracy Scorecard, click here.

Common Cause is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. It works to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.

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